Obituaries for February 12, 2003

Mary H. Tunnell, 76, of Jamestown died in San Leandro, after a brief illness.

She was born in Lime, Colo., and lived in Jamestown since 1991. She lived in San Jose for many years before moving to Jamestown.

She worked for the Bank of America for 24 years in the San Jose area and Cirexx Corporation in Santa Clara for five years.

Her family said she was a very giving and loving person who always put herself last. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, baking, shopping and watching "Judge Judy." They said she was simple in many ways and never cared for too much fuss.

Mrs. Tunnell is survived by her husband of 52 years, Harold Tunnell of Jamestown; a daughter and son-in-law, Janis and Michael Castelan of Gilroy; two grandchildren, Jordana Zaki and Ricky Zaki and his wife, Jennifer; three great-grandchildren, Elisabeth, Lauren and Rashad Zaki; a sister-in-law, Bernice Robak of Walnut Creek; a niece, Joan Ostenberg and her husband, Gary; and a nephew, Glenn Robak and his wife, Carol, and their family.

Services were private through Wilson and Kratzer Chapel of San Ramon Valley.

Donations may be made to Shriner's Children Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento 95817.

Marjorie Claire Black

April 3, 1916  Feb. 7, 2003

Marjorie Claire Black, 86, of Columbia died Friday at a Sonora hospital.

A native and lifelong Californian, Mrs. Black was born in the former town of Atlanta, Calif., near French Camp, San Joaquin County, and had lived in Columbia for the past 25 years. She lived in San Diego during World War II, and participated in the war effort by helping to build B-17 bombers.

After moving to Columbia, she was a member of the Gold Country Social Club, Welcome Wagon, Tuolumne Star Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Delta Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Psi Sorority and First Church of Christ, Scientist. Her family said her church membership was a central part of her life and her large family was very important to her.

She enjoyed playing two card games each month with friends and was part of a local stitchery group. She was fond of her cat, Princess, who her family said was Mrs. Black's pet and friend for 22 years, before Princess died.

Mrs. Black is survived by a sister, Ardyth Breese of Jamestown; five children, Marjorie Driskell and Raymond Lockrem, both of Tuolumne; Ralph Black and his wife, Rita, of Lake Arrowhead, Evalyne Black of Columbia and Debi Black and companion Peter Holzmeister of Truckee; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Black, two brothers and one sister.

At her request, no services were held. Her ashes will be placed in several locations: at Parkview Cemetery, Manteca, with her husband in the Rose Garden at Westwood Cemetery in Southern California, at the family compound and scattered over the Pacific Ocean at San Diego. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Tuolumne County, 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown 95327.

Polly Sisk Reed

March, 5, 1957  Feb. 6, 2003

Polly Sisk Reed, 45, a former Sonora resident, died Thursday in Auburn after a battle with breast cancer.

Born in Julesburg, Colo., to former Sonora residents Shirley and Alfred Sisk, Ms. Reed was the second of four children. She graduated from Sonora Elementary School and from Sonora High School in 1975. She earned an associate's degree from Columbia College.

She had lived in Auburn for the past five years. Her family said she was at home in the landscape among a close community of friends. They noted her love of animals was legendary and said no creature was too lowly, scraggly or ornery for her to adopt.

As a daughter, mother, sister and friend, she was sensitive, patient, kind and funny, they said, and she was a great fishing buddy.

Ms. Reed is survived by a daughter, Michael Lesan of Corvallis, Ore.; a son, Andrew Lesan of Turlock; parents, Shirley and Al Sisk of Prineville, Ore.; two sisters, Pamela Armstrong of Bend, Ore., and Megan Rau of Powell Butte, Ore.; a brother, Rand Sisk of Dallas; her companion, Johnny Hottenstein of Auburn; and nieces, nephews and many friends.

A private service was held in Auburn. Cremation was private. Arrangements were handled in Auburn.

Lawrence Peter "Larry" McAndrews, 73, of Jamestown died Monday at a Sonora hospital.

Mr. McAndrews was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and had lived in Mountain Ranch for eight years, before moving to Sonora and later Jamestown. He lived in Tuolumne County for the past 13 years.

He had previously lived in La Selva Beach, Santa Cruz County, for many years, where he was a member of its volunteer fire department. While living there, he loved riding his horse, Prince, on the beach.

He had worked for the State of California and PG&E and was retired from both.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3154 Sonora and St. Patrick's Parish, Sonora and was a friend of Bill W. for 34 years.

Mr. McAndrews is survived by his wife of 53 years, Charlene McAndrews, of Jamestown; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Mike and Tina McAndrews of Mt. Holly, Vt., and Dan McAndrews of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Lynn Moore of Twain Harte and Lorrie and John Skoch of Pacific Grove, Monterey County; a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Betty McAndrews of Altoona, Iowa; two sisters, Virginia Lambert of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Eileen Anderson of Des Moines, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Kristin and Dana McAndrews of Mt. Holly, Tyler and Thomas Devine of La Selva Beach, Joshua and Danae Moore of Hilmar, Merced County, and Jordan Moore of Sonora; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine.

Blanche Bertha (Sherrill)

Rasmussen

June 23, 1922  Feb. 10, 2003

Blanche Bertha (Sherrill) Rasmussen, 80, a former resident of Columbia, died Monday at a Poway hospital.

Mrs. Rasmussen was born in Brandt, S.D., and had lived in Columbia from 1973-1980, before she moved to Oakdale and later to Southern California.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and enjoyed gardening, quilt making, cooking  especially cinnamon rolls and candy  and loved animals. Her family said she was an all-around good mother and loved the Christian faith.

Mrs. Rasmussen is survived by two sons, Jim Rasmussen of Tuolumne and David Rasmussen of Happy Camp, Siskiyou County; three daughters, Josie Asche-Blucker of Borrego Springs, San Diego County, Phyllis Ann Morring of Lake Forrest, Orange County, and Paula Marie Diggle of La Grand, Ore.; 21 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn Bourne of Chester, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Crofford Rasmussen, and a son, Gregory Rasmussen.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mountain Shadow Cemetery, Sonora.

Donations may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 73, Jamestown 95327.

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